The Church:
St. Genevieve of Paris Catholic Church
The first religious service held in
town was conducted at the home of F. LaMotte in 1854 by Father Kaller. Soon after
the first services were held, a small frame church, 16 x 25 feet was built, which was
superseded by the present brick church in 1859. The parish now numbered about 400
and was named The Church of St. Genevieve of Paris. The primitive wooden structure
was brought into service as a parsonage.
In 1861, Father Goiffon took charge of the parish dividing his time between Centerville and Little Canada in Ramsey County. He remained here for many years. Reverend Joseph Goiffon, one of the pioneer minisionaries of Minnesota, was born in France on the 3rd of March, 1824. After preparing for college, he entered the seminary of Meximieux, graduated and pursued his theological studies at Bron. He was ordained in 1852, then became the Vicar of Meximiieux for five years, coming to St. Paul in 1857.
Father Goiffon supervised the building of the third parish church in 1870. He served St. Genevieve's from 1861-1891.
Father Masl supervised the building
of the fourth and present parish church in 1904. He served at St. Genevieve's from
1904-1918.
The present church is the fourth building since St. Genevieve's was started in 1854.
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| Altar | Present Day Church |
Rear Balcony |
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| Donated by D. Francis | Donated by Joseph LaMotte | Donated by Landroche |
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Donated by Molitor |
Donated by L. Charpenter |
Donated by Segivny |
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St. Genevieve |
St. Jean Baptiste |
St. Linus |
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These two windows are found as you walk up the stairway to the balcony. |
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St. Luke |
St. Mark |
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Rear of Church |
Rectory |
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